Indonesian rescuers find debris from missing plane, 10 passengers still unaccounted for

Indonesian rescuers have found debris from a small plane that went missing with 10 people on board in eastern Indonesia, but authorities say the passengers remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.

WEBDESK – MediaBites – January 18, 2026

Indonesian search and rescue teams on Sunday located debris believed to be from a small turboprop aircraft that went missing with 10 people on board in eastern Indonesia, but authorities said the passengers have yet to be found.

The aircraft, operated by Indonesian Air Transport, lost contact with air traffic controllers on Saturday afternoon while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

Officials said fragments discovered by joint search teams include parts believed to be the fuselage, tail section, and windows. The debris was found in mountainous terrain near Mount Bulusaraung inside Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, which borders Makassar.

“Our current priority is locating the victims, and we hope there are still some we can evacuate in a safe condition,” Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the Makassar search and rescue agency, told reporters.

Search operations are continuing both by air and on the ground, involving more than 1,000 personnel, including the air force, police, and local volunteers. Aerial units have also been deployed to scan hard-to-reach areas.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by dense fog, rugged terrain, and limited visibility, according to local military officials.

Authorities confirmed that three government employees from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries were among those on board, along with seven crew members. Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the officials were conducting aerial monitoring of marine resources at the time of the flight.

Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air transport. However, the country has faced persistent aviation safety challenges, with multiple fatal air crashes reported in recent years.

In September, a helicopter crash in South Kalimantan killed all eight people on board. Less than two weeks later, another helicopter crash in Papua’s Ilaga district claimed four lives.